Apparatus for extracting the fiber from the stalk of the abaca-plant.



A. DE IGSIAR.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

APPARATUS FOR EXTRAOTING THE FIBER PROM'THE STALK OF THE ABAGA PLANT.

APPLICATION FILED 1120.8,3913.

15 NORRIS PETERS CO4. PH070 LITH UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADRIAN DE ICSIAR, OF LIGAO, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTIN G THE FIBER FROM THE STALK OF THE ABACA-PLANT.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADRIAN on IOSIAR, residing at Ligao, in the Province of Albay, Philippine Islands, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Extracting the Fiber from the Stalk of the Abaca-Plant, and do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to machines for stripping hemp and consists in the combination and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and particularly set forth in the claims.

The invention has for its purpose to provide a machine for stripping hemp wherein the work may be expeditiously carried out and wherein the recovered fiber will be of a more uniform grade and higher quality than has heretofore been obtained.

The invention has for its further purpose to provide a machine of the character in question which will be of simple construction, one which may be manufactured at small cost; one which may be of partially automatic operation, and one which may be properly operated by unskilled hands.

Referring to the drawings forming a part of this specification in which like numerals designate like parts in all the views :Fig-

ure 1 is a perspective view of the machine; Fig. 2 is a front end elevational view of the machine with the knives closed in operating; position; Fig. 3 is afront end elevational view of the machine with the knives open in position to receive the stalks of abaca; and

Fig. i is a detail view of the clamp for holding the strip, and associated means.

Referring to the construction in detail the machine consists of that described and set forth in Letters-Patent No. 1052325 of the United States of America issued on February 4., 1913 and the improvements consist of (a) the substitution of a pair of stripping knives 1 and 2 operating upon the fiber in the same plane, and edge to edge and (b) of an automatic clamping device 3.

A knife 1 of substantial construction is attached in fixed position on the uprights, 4 and 5 parallel to the axis of the wheel 6, and opposite the point of its nearest approach to said uprights 4 and 5. Said knife 1 has a straight bevel cutting edge along its Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 8, 1913.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914. Serial No. 805,440.

at 7 and 8 to the uprights 4 and 5 in such position that its cutting edge is parallel to that of knife 1 and in close proximity there to. Said knife 2 is fitted at its side extremity with a handle 9 by which it may be moved upon its hinges.

The end of the stalk or group of stalks of the hemp plant from which the fiber is to be extracted and the waste is to be scraped is adapted to be secured to the wheel 6 through the medium of an automatic clamp 3, preferably of that construction shown in Figs. land 4; of the accompanying drawing. Said clamp comprises a pair of arms 10, pivotally mounted on either side of the wheel 6, and having outwardly projecting portions 11, to which are secured springs 12. A bar 13, is secured to the outer ends of the arms 10, and has for its purpose to close against a shoulder 14: formed in the periphery of the wheel 6, and in which position said bar holds the end of the strip to be cleaned. The pair of springs 12 normally hold the bar 13 out of engagement with the shoulder 14, whereby to provide an automatic release, as will be presently explained.

The means for holding the clamp bar 13 against the face 141 and securing the end of the strip consists of a pair of cam tracks or rails, 15 and 16, that are mounted on the frame to either side of the wheel 6, and adjacent the peripheral edge of the latter. Said cam rails extend from a point near the co-acting edges of the stripping blades 1 and 2 to a position near the lower edge of the wheel, viz, the points 17. These cam tracks engage with rollers 18 on the cam arms 10, when the wheel is in rotation, and hold the cam bar 13 with the end of the strip against the face or shoulder 14:, and when said rollers 18 reach the ends 17 of the cam rails the bar 13 is released and the end of the strip freed.

The wheel 6 may be rotated by any suitable power, but for illustrative purposes the same is shown herein as adapted to be 0perated by means of a pair of treadles 19 and 20, that are fulcrumed on theframe A, and have connections 21 with arms 22 of the wheel shaft 23.

The operation of the improvements of the machine is as follows: The wheeel 6 is placed in continuous rotation either through mechanical, pedal, or manual power, as preferred. .ly means of handle 5) the hinged knife 2 is lowered, and through the opening between knives l and 2 one or more stalks of the abaca plant are so inserted that they rest against the surface of the rotating wheel (5. hen the clamp 3 reaches a point opposite the knives l and 2 the ends of the stalks fall, by means of slight pressure at the hands of the operator into the open jaws of said clamp 3. Instantaneously thereafter, the flanges or guides 13 and it come into contact with the small wheels at the extremities of the clamp 3, overcoming the tension of coiled springs 12, and closing said clamp 3 firmly against the surface of wheel (5 and the projection thereon. At the same moment, hinged knife 2 is closed into position by the hand of the operator, and the. stalks are drawn by the motion of the wheel and the grip of clamp 3 between the knives 1 and 2. \Vhen the wheel C, in its rotation, reaches that point where the wheels at the extremities of clamp 3 leave the flanges or guides 13 and 14 at the lowest extremity of the latter, the clamp 8 is automatically opened by means of the tension of coiled springs 12, discharges its burden of abaca stalks, and remains open until the beginning of a second operation as above described.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction and combination of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention, and therefore I do not wish to be limited to the above disclosure except as may be required by the claims.

W'hat I claim is z- 1. In a machine of the character described the combination of a supporting frame; a wheel journaled on the frame; stripping means mounted on the frame; a clamp carried by said wheel; and annular members mounted on the f 'ame concentric with said wheel coope able with said clamp to hold the latter in closed position for securing the strip, and to automatically release said strip upon the rotation of the wheel, substantially as described.

In a machine of the character described the combination of a. supporting frame; a wheel journaled on the frame; stripping means mounted on the frame; a clamp carried by said wheel and having a projecting member; and a cam bar mounted on the frame adapted to engage with said projecting member to close the clamp against the strip upon the rotation of the wheel, and to automatically release said. clamp to free the strip at the end of the rotation, substantially as described.

In a machine of the character described the combination of a supporting frame; a wheel ournaled on the frame; stripping means mounted on the frame; a clamp carried by said wheel and having a pair of projecting arms; a pair of cam bars mounted on the frame adapted to engage with said projecting members to close the clamp against the strip upon the rotation of the wheel, and to automatically release said clamp to free the strip at the end of the rotation, substantially as described.

4. In a machine of the character described. the combination of a supporting frame; a wheel journaled on the frame; stripping means mounted on the frame; a clamp carried by said wheel comprising a pair of arms pivotally mounted on the wheel. and having cured to said arms, and rollers mounted on said arm projecting portions; and a pair of cam tracks mounted on the frame to either side of said wheel, said cam tracks adapted to engage with said arm rollers and close the clamp against the strip upon the rotation of the wheeel and to automatically lease said clamp to free the strip at the end of the rotation, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have ailixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES C. Conn, Jnnonnio ORTEGA.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. I Y

projecting portions, a bar 

